Rwanda can be visited throughout the year. Gorilla tracking and other forest walks are less demanding during the drier months. The European winter is the best time for birds, as Palaearctic migrants supplement resident species.
June to early October is the long dry season and the best time for tracking Gorillas and hiking in Parc National de Volcans and in Nyungwe since the ground should be dry. If you travel during these drier times and want to go on the Gorilla trekking, you should book in time, as the Permits are quickly sold out.

Rainfall in Rwanda can vary. However, most rain falls during the ‘long rains’ in April and June. But even this period, as well as the short rains in November/December can be wonderfully suited for a journey as this is when the country is at the most beautiful with green grass, newborn animals and an abundance of wild flowers.

We recommend to bring the following clothes:

• warm clothes including a fleece or light wool sweater
• padded sleeveless waistcoat with deep pockets for valuables, film, papers etc
• lightweight wool socks
• long-sleeved shirt
• strong waterproof walking boots, gaiters useful
• sturdy trousers
• sunglasses & high factor sun screen
• a sun hat with a small brim
• breathable lightweight rain poncho/parka & rain hat
• small backpack to carry water
• gloves recommended for those with sensitive skin or allergy to nettles

• Money for your personal expenses: USD
• Good walking shoes, rain gear, gloves (nettle stings), T-shirts, some long-sleeve shirts, sweaters for the cool evenings
• Sun protection gear and cream
• Mosquito repellent
• Video and photo cameras. 200/300 mm telephoto lenses are very useful.
• Reserve batteries or battery charger (mains and/or 12 V car adaptors)
• Normal and some high speed (800 – 1,000 ASA) films
• Binoculars
• A torch
• Small rucksack
• International vaccination card

Standard trek is a strenuous hike of between 1-4 hours each way (2-3 hours most usually), tracking in thick forest at heights up to 3,000m traversing steep-sided mountains and ravines can be tough, arduous and wet. Visitors must be fit, in good health and properly equipped.

Children under 15 years are NOT permitted to visit gorillas & no child rate applies

The gorilla visit permit costs 500 US$ for Foreigners, 250 US$ for Foreign Residents inclusive of 25 US$ for park entry fee. There is talk about a further increase in prices for gorilla permits to 600 US$ Gorilla Permits are non-refundable except for medical reasons and a medical certificate has to be provided. Gorilla viewing can be denied at short notice because of national park or border closures, security changes or gorillas going out of range. In such circumstances refunds are at the discretion of the authority and are not within the company’s control. Obtaining a gorilla permit is not a guarantee of seeing a Gorilla.

Any personal medication required should be carried in hand luggage. Warning: Gorillas are susceptible to most human diseases and if you are knowingly carrying a contagious disease (especially flu) DO NOT attempt to trek.

It is advisable not to drink tap water. Bottled mineral water can be bought in all towns. Hospitals are located in all major towns.

Much of the region lies at too high an elevation for malaria to be a major concern, but the disease is present and prophylactic drugs are strongly recommended. Visitors should seek current medical advice before travelling.

A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required from all travellers over 1 year of age. Malaria risk exists throughout the year in the whole country. Resistance to chloroquine and sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine reported.

Local specialities include special chicken & fish dishes.

Visas are required by all visitors except nationals of the USA, UK, Germany, Canada, Uganda, Tanzania, Kenya, Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo, Sweden, Mauritius, South Africa and Hong Kong, cost 60 US$ and can be bought upon arrival by residents of some countries while other residents of some countries while others need to pre arrange them in their country of residence. Visitors are required to have a yellow fever vaccine certificate.

Travellers to Rwanda can apply on the internet for an entry facility form. This form allows you:

• to be accepted by the airlines
• to purchase easily a one-entry visa on your arrival at any Rwandese border post at the cost of USD 60.
• to get a 2nd visa at the border if you have left Rwanda to neighbouring countries with an initial 1 entry visa

• Click on “entry facility”
• Click on “apply for an entry facility online”
• Fill in the different boxes with personal information
• Proposed address in Rwanda: Mapendano Voyages BP122 Kigali
• Proposed date of arrival: Depending on the trip
• Proposed entry point: Depending on the trip
• Purpose of visit: Tourism
• When did you last leave Rwanda: never (if this is your first visit to Rwanda)
• Duration of stay: Depending on the trip
• Enter your e-mail address

Please bring 2 passport-size pictures when you travel.

We suggest that you make arrangements so that you and your property are fully insured for the duration of you stay, as well as for travel in light aircraft if applicable. Similarly, we recommend arranging for adequate insurance in the unforeseen event of the cancellation of your safari.

Photography is permitted, although you may not use a flash and if you are intending to bring a video camera, then this must be cleared with the Rwandan Tourist Office (Office Rwandais Du Tourisme Et Des Parcs Nationaux – ORTPN) and will involve a fee.

We recommend that you bring your equipment, extra batteries and all your film with you although all normal types of film can usually be bought in major towns. A telephoto lens is essential for good game pictures. Most lodges and hotels have facilities for recharging batteries for video and digital cameras.

Please, respect the local people and only photograph them with their permission. We also strongly recommend never to attempt to take photos of border posts, airports, persons in uniform and military installations where photography is strictly prohibited.

International telephone communication is good in Kigali and most big towns. European & American mobile phones with a roaming agreement work in Rwanda. Internet facilities are available at most hotels in Rwanda.

We will arrange a local SIM card for you that will be handed to you together with all other travel documentation on arrival in Africa. On this SIM card, we will store all relevant numbers such as our office and cell phone numbers should you wish to get in touch with us during your trip. For this purpose, we will also load some credit on the SIM card which allows you to make local as well as short international calls. We will communicate the telephone number to you a couple of weeks ahead of your arrival so that you can pass on this telephone number to friends and family who you would like to be able to be in touch with you.

Please, note that having a SIM card and mobile phone does not constitute a guarantee of being reachable and able to make phone calls as some of the places you will be travelling to still have limited network coverage.

A recent government programme of upgrading and resurfacing means that most major routes are now in good condition. The major urban arteries of Kigali, as well as the high streets in Ruhengeri, Kibuye and Gisenyi are dual carriageways, but all national long distance roads are single carriageway. There are no motorways in Rwanda.

From Kigali it is just 90 minutes drive to the base of the Parc National de Volcans. To Nyungwe Forest it’s a four hour drive on good roads with a recommended stopover for lunch and a museum visit in Butare Town.

Electricity:

In Rwanda 230/240 volts at 50 Hz is used. The sockets require 2-pin (round) plugs. Some guest houses do not have 24-hour power, but arrangements for recharging batteries can usually be made.